Valve construction



Nov. 6, 1934. I s; u: SIENA El AL 1,980,144

VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 1933 Patented Nov. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT or ies land, Ohio, assignors,

to Ball-Rite Valve Company,

a corporation of Ohio by mesne assignments, Cleveland, Ohio,

Application February 9, 1933, Serial No. 656,008 g 10 Claims.

The improved valve construction represented by the present invention is designed to eliminate rattling or chattering often noted in valve installations, especially where aball type valve is employed, which rattling produces an objectionable noise when the valve is operated.

Valves employing a ball type of valve member usually comprise a seat for the valve, in which the valve rests, and from which it is adapted to be lifted by fluid pressure beneath the valve. A compression member or plunger is arranged to act upon the valve so as to compress the same upon its seat for controlling the flow of fluid through the valve structure.

Such types of valves are frequently employed in water lines, to control flow of water therethrough, and as usually constructed, there will be a certain amount of play between the upstanding walls of the valve seat and the valve to enable ready lifting of the valve by the water pressure when the valve actuating member or plunger is released. Because of this play, a certain amount of water may enter between the valve and the plunger, circulating, as it were, behind the valve member, producing a rapid vibration of the member with the objectionable noise or chattering above referred to resulting from this entry and circulation of water between the valve and its operating plunger.

The present invention eliminates this objectionable feature, since the valve member is sufficiently tight to prevent water passing around it, while at the same time being sufficiently freely movable relative to its seat as to enable a free lifting of the valve from the seat under the action of water pressure. By rendering the valve water-tight between its periphery and the sides of the valve seat, entry of water between the valve and its operating plunger is prevented and the objectionable noise above referred to is eliminated. I

The valve of the present invention may be employed in a wide variety of installations, such as, for example, in faucets, for the control of the water intake supply of flush tanks, or anywhere where a flow of fluid or liquid is to be controlled.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, Figure 1 represents an installation of the valve of the present invention in the intake line of the flush tank, the view being partly in section and partly in elevation.

Figure 2 is a detail section through the valve seat, showing the valve in closed position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Figure 2, but showing the valve in open position. I

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a flush tank showing the arrangement of water inlet and outlet, the inlet being provided with the improved valve construction. Figure 5 is a view partially in section and partly in elevation of a, faucet provided with the improved valve construction.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, and especially first to the form of construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the intake 1 is provided With the valve seat member 2, the seat member 2 being threaded as indicated at 3 for the reception of the inlet 1. The seat member is provided with a channel 4, axially extending through the seat member, and communicating between the inlet 1 and the outlet openings 5, which openings are adapted to be controlled through the valve 6, illustrated as being; a ball type valve of compressible material. This valve 6 rests within the recessed portion 7 of the seat member 2, the portion? having its wall curved similar to the curvature of the valve 6, the Width of the recess 7 being substantially the diameter of the valve. 7 It will be seen thatthe valve 6 extends above the plane of the top of the seat member, and is adapted to be engaged forcompression by the operating member orplunger 8 the top of the seat member 2 being restricted to be received within this plunger in a fluid-tight relation. The engagement of the operating member or plunger 8 with the side 9 of thevalve seat member is such that there is virtually no friction between the areas of contact while yet allowing tight engagement between the plunger 8 and the valve seat member wall 9. Inlthe form of invention under consideration, the plunger 8 is provided with a cap 10 which is provided with a hook shaped arm 11 which is engaged by the forked actuating member 12 pivoted at 13 to the valve housing 14 threadedly mounted on the seat member 2 byrneans of the threads 15. To the actuating member 12 'is connectedthe float rod 16 which carries the float 17. A packing 18 surrounds the plunger 8 and prevents passage of water around the plunger.

It will be noted that the valve contacting surface of the plunger 8 is provided with a slight concavity 19 for gripping the surface of the valve 6, and for compressing it against the outlet.

passages 5 to effect closing of these passages. In

the complete installation of the valve, the valve. I

i the inlet 28 -and outlet 29 isefiected.

housing 14, which is provided with an upstanding arm and the channel 21. This channel 21 receives the pipe 22, through which pipe water enters the tank A for filling the tank. A pipe 23 is also connected with the channel 21, this pipe leading into the overflow pipe 24, which is of usual construction.

It will be seen that the arm 20 carries the pivotal mounting 13, for the lever arm 12.

In the Hush pipe 24a there is placed the control valve 25, which is operated in the usual manner for draining the flush tank A'.

As the float 17 falls inconformitywith the. drop of level of the water when the valve is open, the arm 12 pivots on 13 tolift the.

plunger 8 into the position shown in Figure 3, thus allowing the valve 6.to lift under pressure of the water in the channel 4; and the water will then flow from the intake pipe 1 through the channel 4-. and the openings 5 into the passage 21, thence through pipe 22 .and'vintothe tank, the valve 25 of course closing in the usual man'-- ner; As the level of the water in the-tank A rises; the float 17 is raised, correspondinglydepressingthe'plunger 8 to close the valve 6 as shown in Figure .2. During the entire opera-- tion, owing' to the close contact between the valve- 6"and the wall 90fits seat and between 7 seat portion 9a and plunger portion8a, nowater can passbetween the valve and wall sothat the space 26 between the valve seat member and hottomof the plunger-remains free fromwater;

constructions of this k-ind, is'eliminated.

In the construction shown in Figure 5, the valve-*seatmember is-illustrated as a plug 2a threadedly received inthe dividing wall 2'1 sep- 5 arating theinlet 28'- fromthe outlet 29' of thefaueet B2 The seat member 2wis shaped. at its upper end to receive the ball valve 6a and has the water passages 4m and- 5a therethrough; through which passages communication between- Snugly fitting over the seat member 2iz; is the -valve-op crating piston 8a; the end of which is suitably recessed'to fit over this valve seat member 2a in water-tight relation therewith, and to: engage a the valve 6a for controlling flowof water through the-faucet upon actuation of the h'andle 30'.- As in the'prev-iouslydescribedimodification, the recessed end of the plunger isprovided with a slight concavity 19a" into which the valve 611 fit's' closely.- Also, as in the previously-described modification, the valve -6a= engages the side of the seat in water-tightrelation, the contact being such; however; that the valve S-isreadily liftable under the pressure of water passing up wardly through thepassage 4a.

. plunger is integral with the" threaded portion '32 and=stem31 andit will'beobv-ious from the saiwfigurethat upon operation of the handle -30 the-plunger will be raised or lowered; thereby In this way the=rattling of the valve which has been previously referred to as being the source of ob-- jectionable noise, verycommonly noted inprior operating the ball valve in the manner previously described.

As in the modification previously described, no water can pass between the valve 6a and the walls of its seat so that the space 26 is maintained free fromwwateri It should. be noted that. the ball valve 6 in Figure 2, or 6a. in Figure 5, performs only a very small upward or downward motion during its operation, and the amount of such motion may be easily adjusted by screwing the valve seat portion 2 in'Figure 1, or 20!. in Figure 5, more or less intothe valve housing. The amount of waten to be dispensed by this valve can be thereby readily adjusted.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the seat member 2 may be readily removed and replaced" without any difiiculty.

Having, thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Batent i of? the: United States, is-- 1. Valve constructionof the character'described;. comprising, in combination, a' valve-- casing, a-x'valve seat member communicating with a; fluid; supply 'line: for enablingpassage of fluid; throughi the 'seat. member, the said valve seat. member: having: outlet openings in its side andrbeing, provided with: a recessed portion, a valve loosely positioned on the said seat member; within said; recessed. portion a f or controlling flow of. fluid: therethrough, an operating member adapted.:tcact upon. the'valve to compress theisame for effective control of flow of fluidand for retaining the valve withinsaid recessedzportion ofthea seatmember, the said valve being in continuous-peripheral engagement with'the side wall of" the seatmember to-prevent entry of. water: between. the: said. valve: and operating. member, while enabling; the said valve to operate uponsufficient withdrawal of the'operating member-for enabling. fluid toflow through the seat member upon release of: the. valve.

2. A: valve constructionof. the character described, comprising, incombination, a valve'casing,.,a fluidrinlet, aivalve. seat member intercom nested-with. the said-inlet" and provided with a cupped valve receiving, end. having, outlet open ings in. its wall, a compressible-valve seatedin the cupped end-in fluid-tight relation with the walls ofv the; said end, and-.an-operating memher: for: the-said valve, thexsaid operatingmernber: enclosing: the: said. cupped end" of the. valve seat members andbeing; in: fiuidetight engagement. therewith, the said valve being liftable from its seatbyfluid-pressure beneath thevalve upon release of .the: operating memberjto enablev fluidv to: pass; through the seat. member, while preventing: entryof fluidaroundthe valve and between the. valve: and? operating member.

3. A-- valve construction: of the character described, comprising, in combination a valve casing;havingafiuidinlet, a valve seat member communicatingwiththe said fluid inlet, the 'said valve seat-member beingcupped at one endand. provided. with. fluid; passages through the side of; saidcupped end, .a. compressible valve mem ber. positioned. in the. cupped end of. the seat member in fluid-tight engagement with thelside thereof; a piston for compressing the said'valve to control'fiow offluid'through the seat member, means'for operating the piston, the said piston having its valve engaging end recessedfor snugly flttingagainst' the valve seat member to enclose-the samein" fluid-tight relation,fthe said valve being freely liftable through fluid pressure from its seat upon release of the said piston for enabling fluid to pass through the valve seat and said fluid passages while maintaining fluid-tight engagement with the said cupped end for preventing passage of fluid around the valve and between the seat member and piston.

4. A valve construction of the character described, comprising, in combination, a valve casing, a valve seat member within the casing and provided with a fluid inlet passage, the said valve seat member having an upstanding wall forming a cupped end with outlet passages therein, a compressible ball valve member positioned within said cupped end, a valve operating piston engaging said ball valve, the said piston being recessed at its end to enclose the cupped end of the valve seat member in fluidtight relation and being adapted to compress the said ball valve within the cupped end to close the inlet and outlet passages for controlling the flow of fluid through said casing, the ball valve being continuously in fluid-tight relation with the upstanding wall of the cupped end of the valve seat member to prevent the passage of fluid between the piston and ball valve.

5. A valve construction of the character described, comprising, in combination, a valve casing, a valve seat member Within the casing and provided with a fluid inlet passage, the said valve seat member having an upstanding wall forming a cupped end with outlet passages therein, a compressible ball valve member positioned within said cupped end, a valve operating piston engaging said ball valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the casing, the said piston being recessed at its end to enclose the cupped end of the valve seat member in fluidtight relation to prevent the passage of fluid between the piston and ball valve.

6. A valve construction of the character described, comprising, in combination, a valve casing, a valve seat member within the casing and provided with a fluid inlet passage, the said valve seat member having an upstanding wall forming a cupped end with outlet passages therein, a compressible ball valve member positioned within said cupped end, a valve operating piston engaging said ball valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the casing, the said piston being recessed at its end to enclose the cupped end of the valve seat member in fluid-tight relation to prevent the passage of fluid between the piston and ball valve and to seal the outlet passages.

7. A valve construction of the character described, comprising, in combination, a valve casing, a valve seat member having an inlet passage and outlet passages, a compressible ball valve within the seat member for controlling the flow of fluid through said passages, and means for operating said ball valve and controlling the flow through said outlet passages, the said means and ball valve being in fluid tight relation to the valve seat member to prevent the passage of fluid between the said means and ball valve.

8. A valve construction of the character described, comprising, in combination, a valve casing, a valve seat member having a fluid inlet passage and outlet passages, a compressible ball valve, an operating piston having a sealing flange cooperating with said valve seat member for controlling the flow of fluid through the outlet passages and for operating the ball valve to thereby control the flow of fluid through the inlet and outlet passages of the valve seat member, the said ball valve being operated by the said piston.

9. In a valve, a valve casing, a valve seat member having a fluid passage therein and passages communicating with said fluid passage for the transmission of fluid therethrough, means for controlling the flow of fluid from said fluid passage to said passages, said means being interposed between said passages and means for controlling the flow of fluid at the outlet end of said passages.

10. In a valve, a valve casing, a valve seat member having a fluid passage therein and passages communicating with said fluid passage for the transmission of fluid therethrough, means for controlling the flow of fluid from said fluid passage to said passages, said means being interposed between said passages, means for con- 

